Posts Tagged ‘Ramon Colon’

Overview: Kansas City finished another dismal season going 64-92, with no true light at the end of the tunnel in sight. However, the team had some bright spots, such as Cy Young Award winner P Zach Greinke and over-achieving IF Alberto Callaspo. Besides that, the Royals are in the process of still working young talent into the big leagues.

Offseason Moves: The Royals made very few moves during the offseason, and almost all of them seemed to be minor. Kansas City traded OF Mark Teahen for IFs Chris Getz and Josh Fields. This trade prompted the signings of OFs Rick Ankiel and Scott Podsednik. The Royals also added C Jason Kendall, as a veteran presence on the team.

Projected Lineups and Pitching Staff:

1. LF Scott Podsednik (.304, 7 HR, 48 RBI)

2. CF David DeJesus (.281, 13 HR, 71 RBI)

3. 1B Billy Butler (.301, 21 HR, 93 RBI)

4. RF Rick Ankiel (.231, 11 HR, 38 RBI)

5. DH Jose Guillen (.242, 9 HR, 40 RBI)

6. 2B Alberto Callaspo (.300, 11 HR, 73 RBI)

7. 3B Alex Gordon (.232, 6 HR, 22 RBI)

8. C Jason Kendall (.241, 2 HR, 43 RBI)

9. SS Mike Aviles (.183, 1 HR, 8 RBI)

Backup C: Brayan Pena (.273, 6 HR, 18 RBI)

Backup IF: Josh Fields ( .222, 7 HR, 30 RBI)

Backup IF: Chris Getz (.261, 2 HR, 31 RBI)

Backup OF: Mitch Maier (.243, 3 HR, 31 RBI)

1. Zach Greinke (16-8, 2.16 ERA)

2. Gil Meche (6-10, 5.09 ERA)

3. Brian Bannister (7-12, 4.73 ERA)

4. Luke Hochevar (7-13, 6.55 ERA)

5. Kyle Davies (8-9, 5.27 ERA)

CP: Joakim Soria (3-2, 2.21 ERA, 30 SV)

SU: Kyle Farnsworth (1-5, 4.58 ERA)

SU: Carlos Rosa (0-0, 3.18 ERA)

MR: Juan Cruz (3-4, 5.72 ERA)

MR: Ramon Colon (2-3, 4.83 ERA)

LR: Robinson Tejada (4-2, 3.54 ERA)

LR: Jorge Campillo (1-0, 4.15 ERA)

Player to watch: The Royals’ season depends on the bat of DH Jose Guillen. It is assumed that OF Rick Ankiel will recover from the shoulder injury that plagued him much of last season, and will return to form. However, without Guillen, the Royals’ lineup is a little lacking. If he can provide a .280 batting average with 15 HR, and about 80 RBI, Kansas City may have a chance to compete in the dismal AL Central.

Prediction: 70 – 90, 4th in AL Central

Yes, the AL Central is a terrible division. However, the Twins are always competing for the division. The White Sox have too much pitching depth to not be able to at least compete. Detroit is a wild card, for it depends on how well many of their young players perform, however, I think they will do well. Kansas City can beat out the terrible Indians. If the Royals’ rotation received the addition of a #2 starter, the team could be a contender for the AL Central. As of now, their pitching will just get eaten alive.